Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

Vetch is a well known legume also known as common vetch or tares. Vetch is extremely competitive against weeds, forming an aggressive canopy rapidly. Vetch is also a nitrogen fixer with estimates of annual N fixation ranging from 100-250kg N/ha. This crop rapidly produces large amounts of biomass. Vetch can carry over or act as a host to some disease that affect peas and beans. It can be affected by fusarium which can cause root rot in both pulse crops. It is also a host for ascochyta and can carry over botrytis.

• Not overwintering

• Pure seeding rate 40-50 kg/ha

• Seed rate in a mixture 10-15 kg/ha

• Approximate seed cost 1,5 €/kg

• C/N ratio 10..12:1

• A cross between a tap root and a fibrous one/ thin but strong taproot and numerous lateral roots growing down 50-70 cm (max. 100 cm)